'error reading gamelist file'

[Knievel]

Ok, new problem.

I've attempted to make a gamelist in Mala a few times now and I keep getting 'error reading gamelist file' when I try and view the new list afterwards.
After that message it completely locks up and I have to ctrl-alt-del to shut Mala down.

I tried it on a second computer tonight with a fresh install and the exact thing happens again.

Did a search and didn't see anyone else with this problem so I must be doing something wrong.

Any input would be appreciated..

[Knievel]

Just realized there's an error log.
Don't know if it helps but here's what I'm getting everytime:

Error: Object Class: TTimer, Object Function: DisplayCPanel, Exception Class: EListError, Exception Message: List index out of bounds (5)

[loadman]

OK I just made a list from scratch without issue..

It looks like a problem with the lists layout rather than the list itself

 'DisplayCPanel' = Is the part of the code that loads the layouts Control panel

Is this for a MaLa Tree list?

Can you provide the steps you are taking so we can find out at what point it gives this error?

[Knievel]

Well I just tried it using the standard Mala layout and got the same error, so I guess it's not the layout?

No I'm not using the Mala Tree.

This has been an issue since I first installed Mala. I have never been able to create a gamelist for some reason.
I figured it was just something really simple and I'd solve it later.

My steps:
-start Mala
-right click into the options menu
-choose the gamelists tab
-click new and name it
-edit game list
-choose add selection
-pick parameter (eg. 'only masters')
-save list
-close gamelist editor
-that error message comes up and Mala is comletely locked

If I ctrl-alt-del out of it and then fire it up again it will lock again if I attemp to view that list.

[loadman]

Hey,

I just did it a bunch of times and it did crash on me once so it may not be a easy bug to find but I will try.

When it did it is failing in the Control Panel section of the code which is weird..

Anyway

To get around this short term.
* Can you try adding some games manually to a list  just for a test and try that test list.
* If you quit mala and load up The malagamelist editor on it's own to create the lists then quit and load mala will it still crash for you?

[Neverending Project]

I am getting a similar error, but without the DisplayCPanel string:

Code: [Select]

2008/10/05  11:24:16.31   Error: Object Class: TPopupList, Object Function: SaveFilterSets, Exception Class: EStringListError, Exception Message: List index out of bounds (-1)
I will try your suggestions and report back.

[Neverending Project]

OK, I have tried creating a new gamelist using the game editor with just a couple of games in it. I launched Mala and switched to the gamelist, but got the same crash when I switched. I was able to switch gamelists and exit Mala, and then I removed my original gamelist.

So now I have only my new gamelist with three games, but Mala still crashes when I click OK to the options screen. If I open the options screen and click cancel, nothing happens. But if I open it and click OK, I get the same error I posted above.

I am not sure if this is related, but I do see the "List index out of bounds" at the end, which is the same that Knievel is getting.

[Neverending Project]

I just thought I would give an update to my situation here. Since I am new to Mala, I thought I would try a fresh install. So I re-extracted the files to a new folder, and started from scratch adding one thing at a time. So far everything is working as it should.

The first time, I launched Mala, built the gamelist, and continued to configure all the options without saving the changes as I went. I had no way of really knowing what threw a wrench in the system. This time I am taking things one step at a time, making sure everything works as I go. I have added layouts, sounds, gamelists, plug-ins, all without a hitch.

At this point I am thinking my original problem had to do with the way I created my gamelist, although I am not sure I could reproduce what I did.

Anyway, I just wanted to post an update... so far so good! Carry on...

[FrizzleFried]

I use ROMLISTER to create my gamelists now that I used it once and found out just how easy it is to use (and powerful).  I'd recommend checking it out.  It will make custom lists for MALA, MAMEWAH as well as others...

[loadman]

Just realized there's an error log.
Don't know if it helps but here's what I'm getting everytime:

Error: Object Class: TTimer, Object Function: DisplayCPanel, Exception Class: EListError, Exception Message: List index out of bounds (5)

OK , Thanks to all for your feedback and thoughts.

I found out what this error was about. 

The code crashes at this point when no games are found in the main list in some circumstances including after the rom path is changed.

Anyway I have fixed this for the next release. 

But the question is now why are no games found for you in this new list? 

OK Another thing to try please. I have an idea.

Can you try recreating your mame.xml file (in options)

Then refresh your main game list and try again.

Sometimes MaLa game list can become unstable if using an old/inappropriate mame.xml file when dealing with game lists. 

Let me know how you go .. 

[dungbeetle46]

I was having the same problem, it was getting stuck at collecting bios and had to ctr alt del to exit
tried what you suggested and recreated mame.xml and it worked fine

[loadman]

I was having the same problem, it was getting stuck at collecting bios and had to ctr alt del to exit
tried what you suggested and recreated mame.xml and it worked fine

Excellent feedback. 

I have added to the next version of MaLa to ask if the user if they want to recreate the mame.xml file whenever mame.exe is allocated in options.

[Knievel]

Sorry, I got knocked out of 'the game' with a migraine.

I was able to successfully make a gamelist by choosing just a few games..no crashing.
But as soon as I tried a filter it would crash.
Same result if I opened the gamelist editor outside of Mala and made a list.

Anyway I will test out the mame.xml idea and let you know what happens

Thanks for keeping at it.

[loadman]

Sorry, I got knocked out of 'the game' with a migraine.

I was able to successfully make a gamelist by choosing just a few games..no crashing.
But as soon as I tried a filter it would crash.
Same result if I opened the gamelist editor outside of Mala and made a list.

Anyway I will test out the mame.xml idea and let you know what happens

Thanks for keeping at it.

  NO MORE MIGRAINE   

[Knievel]

Yea..I wish

I gave the XML trick a go a bunch of times and had success..but only once.
Don't know why it worked that one time though. Makes this all the more frustrating.

I will try the ROMLISTER approach that Frizzle suggested and see what happens..

[loadman]

Yea..I wish

I gave the XML trick a go a bunch of times and had success..but only once.
Don't know why it worked that one time though. Makes this all the more frustrating.

I will try the ROMLISTER approach that Frizzle suggested and see what happens..

Well in the next version I have stopped that error you posted, but that probably does not really help you here as the error only occurred for me when the list was empty. An example was doing a list refresh when a bad rom path was set hence you end up with an empty list if you have mala set to only list games with roms found in folders.

[Knievel]

Success!!

Romlister worked perfectly. Thanks Frizzle for the suggestion.
I have to admit I saw it in the MaLa wiki when I first started out but I assumed the MaLa gamelist editor would be better, so I never gave it a second thought.

So..any ideas why it works and the other doesn't?

[loadman]

Success!!

Romlister worked perfectly. Thanks Frizzle for the suggestion.
I have to admit I saw it in the MaLa wiki when I first started out but I assumed the MaLa gamelist editor would be better, so I never gave it a second thought.

So..any ideas why it works and the other doesn't?

No, But I would love to know why.

Possibly you can help 

Can you post me the gamelist that was causing mala to crash. (The *.mlg file) You may need to zip it.

Thanks in advance 

[Knievel]

Ok I plucked one out of the Recycle Bin and will e-mail it to you.

Don't know how to post a file here..can you?

[Neverending Project]

I think that the first time I configured Mala (the time where I had the problems) it was because I clicked on the options button in the Mame config tab (next to the ROM path) and ticked some of the checkboxes there to use only payable games, and only games with roms. The next time I set it up (when it worked) I did not use these settings, but rather built the gamelist using the separate utility.

I am not sure if this helps or not - just throwing it out there.

[Knievel]

Thanks, I tried every variation of those settings from no checks to everything checked..no dice.

Romlister works fine so I'm good on this one.

[loadman]

Ok I plucked one out of the Recycle Bin and will e-mail it to you.

Don't know how to post a file here..can you?

Thanks 

 I got that and that gamelist file is very wrong   . What version of gamelist are you using?

For next time. To Add a small attachment to a post hit 'additional options' and tbe attachment box will be revealed 

[Knievel]

Ah, that's how you do it.

Well I tried both that were on the d/l page. I think that one was done with the beta though.